Association between eating behaviors with anthropometric indices and perceived stress in working women

Abstract

Background: In recent decades, the significant increase in the prevalence of obesity, both in developing and developed countries, suggests that obesity is a complex health problem. Environmental factors such as lack of physical activity, excessive TV watching and sedentary lifestyle, consumption of high-calorie foods, and side effects of different drugs, can cause overweight and obesity. Obesity is associated with severe health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, asthma, arthritis, and even reduced life expectancy. Obesity also has a profound effect on people's mental health. Methods: After ethics committee approval from the Iran University of Medical Sciences (IR.IUMS.FMD.REC.1399.457), 395 healthy women between 20 to 50 years old entered the study. Questionnaires related to general information and assessment of individuals' status in terms of eating behaviors were completed on women from 20 to 50 years old who worked at the Iran University of Medical Sciences. Anthropometric variables including height, weight, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and hip circumference were measured and body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Then, a questionnaire related to perceived stress was completed by each participant. The 24-hour food recall questionnaire and the physical activity questionnaire were also conducted. Results: In contrast to other studies, anthropometric indices (weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference) were reported higher in people who ate breakfast than in those who did not. There is no significant relationship between eating behaviors (speed rate, eating breakfast or not eating breakfast, and eating with or without a screen) and perceived stress levels. Anthropometric indices increase with increasing food intake and decreasing physical activity, while there is no relationship between dietary intake and physical activity with perceived stress levels. Conclusion: Dietary behaviors and physical activity affect anthropometric indices, while, perceived stress levels do not affect dietary behaviors or anthropometric indices.